The Terrafugia Transition flies, drives and folds into the garage

Is the Terrafugia Transition a flying car … or a driveable airplane? Actually, the Terrafugia Transition is the world’s first “roadable aircraft” according to Terrafugia, the aviation — or automotive? — startup company developing the hybrid machine. The company announced Wednesday that the Transition cleared a big obstacle toward its appearance at airports and rush hours. The Terrafugia Transition was granted an exemption to be classified as a "light sport aircraft" by the Federal Aviation Administration. This classification makes it easier for Transition owners to get certified by the FAA to live their dreams behind the wheel of a flying car.

Source for this article: The Terrafugia Transition – a flying car that fits in your garage by Personal Money Store

A flying car sized for your garage

As a car, the Terrafugia Transition fits in a garage and blends into traffic. It is the opinion of CNET’s Johnathon E. Skillings that the Terrafugia Transition looks like a “Volkswagen in the belly of a carp”. He reports that the vehicle burns unleaded fuel from the corner gas station on the road and in the air. It gets 30 miles to the gallon on the highway and has a top speed of 65 mph. It has a 450 mile range in flight cruising at 115 mph. Terrafugia said it takes just 30 seconds for the Transition to morph from airplane to car.

The light sport aircraft exemption

The FAA put the Terrafugia Transition into its smallest private plane classification as a light sport aircraft. Normally it wouldn't exceed 1,320 pounds. But at that weight, Terrafugia could not fit safety features required for cars like airbags, roll cage and crumple zones. Jalopnik reports that Terrafugia regards the light sport aircraft classification as critical because as such, owners will only need 20 hours of flying time to be cleared for flying the Transition. Terrafugia can now sell the Transition with the caveat that it inform buyers of the extra 110 pounds in weight, thanks to the FAA exemption.

Will Transition lift Terrafugia off the ground?

Terrafugia says one of the major advantages of the Transition over ordinary light aircraft is safety. If the weather is too severe for safe fight, The Telegraph reports, pilots can simply fold their wings and drive home. But the Terrafugia Transition won't be seen in traffic jams just yet. The vehicle flying now is just a prototype. A production model for customers isn't expected from Terrafugia until 2011. However, 70 people have already ordered the flying car expected to sell for $ 194,000. Each hopeful owner submitted $ 10,000, held in escrow and fully refundable, just in case Terrafugia folds before the Transition can unfold its wings.

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cnet.com

jalopnik.com

telegraph.co.uk